New clearer videogame classifications/labelling and warnings on explicit online videos: your thoughts?

[HelenMumsnet]

Hello.

We thought you might be interested to see that, as trailed in the Mail yesterday (you need to scroll right down to the blue box at the bottom of the article), the Prime Minister is "pledging to turn the dial back on the creeping sexualisation and commercialisation of childhood with new restrictions on explicit music videos, violent computer games and internet porn".

The Government is planning to introduce, by July, a new system of clearer age classifications and labelling for video games, and clear warnings on explicit videos shown online (YouTube etc). They also plan to limit advertising near schools and look at a clamp down on "advergaming".

Much of this was recommended in the Let Children Be Children report by Reg Bailey - who, you might remember, did a webchat on MN last year following our Let Girls Be Girls campaign.

So... we'd be very interested to hear your thoughts on the Government's plans. Good stuff or not? And, if good, does it go far enough?

Also, if you've seen or heard anything unsuitable for children on TV (pre-watershed), radio, online or in an ad, do feel free to report it to the UK media regulators through Parentport and/or start a thread about it in our dedicated Parentport topic.

I think it's a great idea. As rempy says, there are many situations where this sort of rating might actually make a difference in children's lives. Parents might also sit up and take notice of a new ratings system that spells out the content better.

"If an 18 certificate will make the "communications manager" stop and think about what is being screened, instead of just putting on whatever is a current trendy tune, I'm all for it."

True.
I unplugged a games machine that had a big screen demoing violent games in a playroom of a pub once.

"chandellina Fri 11-May-12 21:40:07

I think it's a great idea. As rempy says, there are many situations where this sort of rating might actually make a difference in children's lives. Parents might also sit up and take notice of a new ratings system that spells out the content better."

Alternatively the constant changing of the ratings system (PEGI has only been in existence since 2003 before then it was ELSPA) will lead to more confusion.

People don't care, pure and simple I refuse to believe that there is a single person in this country too dumb to understand what this means, if there are then god help their poor kids they probably end up swapping them for some magic beans.

'new ratings system that spells out the content better'

Really? Seriously? Ok I've just randomly grabbed two games off my shelf to look at the ratings:

Dragon Age 2. Clearly has an '18' certificate on the front. Turn it over, it has another '18' stamped on it, and next to it states ' Contains Strong Bloody Violence' underneath that it states 'Suitable only for persons over 18 years of age and over. Not to be supplied to any person below that age.'

Brothers in Arms: Hells Highway. Also has a large '15' on the front, and the same on the back with a statement about bloody violence and bad language.

If a parent can't understand that, then they need more assistance than a new ratings system, I'm afraid.

Perhaps all game boxes should be blank/white with big bold words on them.

So for an 18 rated game "THIS GAME IS EVIL AND WILL HAUNT YOUR DREAMS FOR LIFE!"

for a 15 rated game "THIS GAME IS RATHER NASTY I WOULDN'T BUY IT"

FOR a 3+ rated game "THIS GAME IS ALL CUTE AND FLUFFY".

That will surely work no?

I'd question their ability to read and understand an entire sentence if they struggle with a two digit number.

Perhaps we should change it to pictures, instead. Fluffy bunny = good, snarling wolf = not so good, man being torn apart by wild beasts = BAD.

We tried that already with Pegi but apparently people don't understand what a picture of a clenched fist or hypodermic needle means.

It's amazing we have been able to manage going to the cinema all these years I don't see wave after wave of families been turned away for wanting to watch things like The Raid, how on earth do they manage it?.

It isn't just about games, though. This includes videos shown in public places and posters, also.

Semi naked, booty shaking women have started to become the norm. In this age of striving for greater equality than ever before, it is important that what children are being bombarded with constant sexual images/certain messages to sell every product.

Even products aimed at women are becoming titilating or diet obbsessed.

Pointless to tell girls in school that they can achieve whatever they want, when they walk out and see that they need to look and behave a certain way to be of any value in society.

I particulary despise that adverts that put across the idea that women have to lie about what they are eating or spending money on. We are having any empowerment messages immediately undone.

I have noticed that on more and more websites, porn stuff is popping up. What was once 'specialist' areas of porn is being pushed as mainstream.

Thats got bugger all to do with saving the kiddies, it's a case of we (as woman) need to stand up and say no.

It's disturbing the ideals of the Nazi party are alive and well, what else are these images but those of the master race?. you must be size 6 with fake DD boobs, blue eyes, blonde hair, shining white teeth etc to be considered beautiful. The black girls are not allowed to be too black or have afro hair, the asians must be extremely fair of skin etc.

We need to say no, it's all aimed at us, instead of pandering too it and turning into walking Barbie dolls don't buy the magazines and the products that advertise in that way.